News from August 2020
Class action lawyers argue they aren't as greedy as Tootsie Roll says they are
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Plaintiffs lawyers mad about empty space in theater candy want their case heard in a state court rather than federal.
Navient settlement: $500K to lawyers, no money for class members, new counseling service
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – What was supposed to be a massive class action lawsuit orchestrated by private attorneys, nonprofits and former federal officials could be coming to a close with just a charitable donation and $500,000 to lawyers.
Study: Mass tort plaintiffs paying dearly for loans, regulation needed
Litigation funders charged their clients more than 60% a year in interest on loans against mass tort cases and earned even more on loans to plaintiffs who had already agreed to settle their cases, a new study involving thousands of actual case files found.
Greyhound takes tussle with Wash. AG to Ninth Circuit
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – Greyhound really wants to take its fight with the Washington attorney general to federal court.
Sticky frying pan class action ends with a whimper
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The woman who complained her as-seen-on-TV frying pan was too sticky has settled her individual claim rather than continue with her proposed class action.
Challenge to coffee-causes-cancer label to continue, possibly resolve dozens of lawsuits against businesses
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A California federal court has refused to throw out a lawsuit that challenges the state’s coffee-causes-cancer label.
HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP: BizTimes Milwaukee Selects Five from Husch Blackwell as Notable Women in Law
Five Husch Blackwell attorneys from the firm’s Milwaukee office have been named to BizTimes Milwaukee’s 2020 Notable Women in Law, which recognizes women lawyers “who have a track record of setting legal precedents, winning big cases for their clients and mentoring the next wave of women in law – all while finding ways to give back to their communities.”
BAILEY & GLASSER LLP: Bailey Glasser Adds Jenny Li to Growing Roster
The national law firm Bailey Glasser LLP has hired Jenny Li as an associate in its Wilmington, Delaware office.
BAILEY & GLASSER LLP: Bailey Glasser Adds Esports & Online Gaming Service Offering
The national law firm Bailey Glasser LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of our portfolio of service offerings by creation of the Esports & Online Gaming practice.
DINSMORE & SHOHL LLP: Dinsmore Jumps 8 Spots in American Lawyer’s 2020 A-List Female Equity Partner Scorecard
The American Lawyer released its annual A-List Female Equity Partner Scorecard on August 20, and Dinsmore is among the top firms listed, with its ranking of 27th, up from 35th in 2019.
TROUTMAN PEPPER HAMILTON LLP: Five Troutman Pepper Partners Named to Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under Hot List 2020
Five Troutman Pepper partners have been named to Benchmark Litigation’s 2020 40 & Under Hot List, which recognizes attorneys under 40 (as of Jan. 1, 2020) who stand out in their practice area and are at the top of their industry.
Navient summary judgment reply brief slams Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Navient Corporation blasted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in an Aug. 18 legal filing, claiming the federal agency’s lawsuit against the company “suffers from a basic failure of proof.”
Med-mal plaintiff gets relief from confused jury's botched verdict sheet
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – On the rare occasions that defendants make their own medical malpractice claims, they still need to help a jury understand what they’re alleging, Maryland’s highest court has ruled.
Expert testimony went too far in case of sleeping driver, clobbered ladder
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) – Testimony prejudiced a construction company sued after a worker fell because a sleeping driver took out his ladder.
Arbitration requirement 'lacked meaningful choice,' says Washington Supreme Court
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – A pizza restaurant tried to force disputes with employees into arbitration but has failed.
Motley Rice leading opioid MDL but doesn't want new case to 'languish in a pile' there
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Even one of the firms leading the federal opioid litigation doesn’t seem to want its cases there.
Opioid defendants, still fighting MDL judge's rulings, now accused of being too stingy with pills
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - The judge overseeing federal multidistrict opioid litigation misinterpreted Ohio law and made up a requirement for pharmacy chains to monitor prescription records for signs of diversion and misuse, defendants said in their latest plea for reconsideration or appellate review.
Flint water crisis settlement: Some six weeks before details, like attorneys fees, come out
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - The exact details of Michigan’s proposed $600 million settlement of lawsuits over the Flint water crisis won’t be revealed for at least another one or two months as lawyers, some of whom were hired by the State and will likely be seeking tens of millions in fees, work out the details.
Tall grass could've helped cause wreck but property owner not liable
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – A property owner that let its grass grow tall enough to obscure the view of motorists, possibly causing a serious wreck, has again been victorious in a court ruling.
An 'unorthodox drinking maneuver': Woman loses hot tea lawsuit against Starbucks
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Starbucks customer has lost her tea-was-too-hot lawsuit, ruling a clumsy mishap in her chair was more to blame for the spill than any alleged defect in the cup.